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The Trend and the Pattern of Seasonal Rainfall in the Period 1993 – 2018 in Embu East Sub County, Kenya
Get PDFDOI: https://doi.org/10.37284/2707-4242Kenya, like many countries in the world, is vulnerable to climate variability and change. The livelihood of the people in Embu East Sub-county is highly dependent on rain-fed agriculture so climatic threats affect food and animal production. Climate variability has negatively affected mixed crop-livestock production. The objective of this study was: to establish the trend in seasonal
rainfall in the period (1993-2018). The study used a descriptive survey research design guided by the Sustainable Livelihood Approach (SLA) theory. A sample of 364 subjects was composed of 362 heads of farming families and 2 Agricultural Field Officers. Data was obtained through the study of rainfall records in Embu Meteorological Stations, administration of household
questionnaires, and interview schedule. The Methods of data analysis and presentation included time-series line graphs to show the trend, frequency tables, and percentages. The coefficient of variation was used to check the homogeneity
of March-April-MAY and October-November-December seasons. A paired sample was used to test the hypothesis. The findings established that the rainfall trend was irregular between the years 1993-2018. The onset and the cessation of the MAM and OND varied significantly even though the MAM rainfall was on the upward trend and that of the OND was on the downward trend. The study recommends the following strategies the need to establish more rainfall stations in the study area. Policymakers should build the capacity of the farmers on how to exploit MAM fully and OND seasons and design a more efficient and
interactive approach among the climate scientist-decision makers and the farmers to ensure effective communication on rainfall trends and pattern
Effects of Vegetation Cover and Topographic Positioning on Soil Organic Carbon, Soil Aggregates and Water Infiltration Rates in Laikipia Grasslands, Kenya
Get PDFInfluence of Conformance to Catering Practices on Food Hygiene and Safety: A Case Study of National Youth Service, Gilgil, Kenya
Get PDFHome Sustainable Management of Invasive Pests in Africa Chapter Influence of Predatory Mites, Phytoseiulus longipes Evans. on the Within-Plant Diurnal Migration and Distribution of the Red Spider Mite, Tetranychus evansi, Baker and Pritchard on African Nightshade, Solanum scabrum
No full textAbstract on Influence of Predatory MitesUnderstanding the within-plant diurnal migration and distribution of the Red spider mite, Tetranychus evansi Baker and Pritchard, in the presence of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus longipes Evans, on African nightshade, S. scabrum, is critical in developing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy for the pest. The T. evansi density, day and night cycles, and presence of P. longipes, on the within-plant migration and distribution of T. evansi on African nightshade were hence investigated. The results indicated that T. evansi does not exhibit a circadian migratory movement pattern on S. scabrum at lower densities (50 and 100 mites). However, T. evansi was observed to have a density-dependent collective displacement and distribution to the top of the plant, as densities increased (300 and 600 mites). The presence of P. longipes on the plant enhanced the within-plant migration of T. evansi, even at low densities (50 and 100 mites). However, there was no apparent pattern of migration and movement that was observed within the plant. The increased within-plant movement of T. evansi in presence of the predatory mites and collective displacement of T. evansi at higher densities indicate a potential for developing an IPM strategy using the acaricide treated net, which is discussed further
Influence of support service linkage strategies on sustainability of donor funded livelihood projects in Kilifi County, Kenya
Get PDFDonor agencies have heavily funded livelihood programs in Kilifi County but these projects struggle with sustainability with some dying immediately the funding is withdrawn. The objective of the study was to establish how to support service linkage strategy influence sustainability of donor-funded livelihood projects in Kilifi County. The study was guided by Discovery Learning theory; Diffusion of Innovation theory; Lippitt’s theory of planned change; and Theory of Stakeholder Management. A descriptive correlational research design was used. A sample size of 170 was selected from a population of 295 from three livelihood projects using Slovin’s formula. 7 interviews and 3 focus group discussions were carried out. Prior to data analysis, statistical assumptions were tested. Standard deviations, standard error of means and arithmetic means were used for descriptive analysis while Pearson’s Product moment correlation and linear regression, F-tests, and t-tests were used for inferential analysis using statisticalpackage for social sciences. The mean perception of sustainability did not differ significantly with projects (p=0.192), gender (p=0.669), age (p=0.724), and marital status (p=0.284). However, there was a significant difference in mean perception of the sustainability of donor-funded livelihood projects among the different groups based on the highest level of education attained (p=0.011) and duration of stay in the project (p=000162). H0, r=0.383, p=0.000027<0.05 was rejected and concluded that support service linkages significantly influenced the sustainability of donor-funded livelihood projects. Therefore, policies should be reviewed to provide an enabling environment and culture that will support access to support services such as affordable extension services, affordable and readily available credit, markets. Future studies should use simple and direct Likert items with diverse projects..
Fine-scale habitat heterogeneity influences browsing damage by elephant and giraffe
Get PDFDOI: 10.1111/btp.12848Effects of large mammalian herbivores on woody vegetation tend to be heterogeneous in space and time, but the factors that drive such heterogeneity are poorly understood. We examined the influence of fine-scale habitat heterogeneity on the distribution and browsing effects of two of the largest African terrestrial mammals, the elephant and giraffe. We conducted this study within a 120-ha (500 x 2,400 m) ForestGEO long-term vegetation monitoring plot located at Mpala Research Center, Kenya. The plot traverses three distinct topographic habitats (“plateau,” “steep slopes,” and “valley”) with contrasting elevation, slope, soil properties, and vegetation composition. To quantify browsing damage, we focused on Acacia mellifera, a palatable tree species that occurs across the three habitat categories. Overall tree density, species richness, and diversity were highest on the steep slopes and lowest on the plateau. Acacia mellifera trees were tallest and had the lowest number of stems per tree on the steep slopes. Both elephant and giraffe avoided the steep slopes, and their activity was higher during the wet season than during the dry season. Browsing damage on Acacia mellifera was lowest on the steep slopes. Elephant browsing damage was highest in the valley, whereas giraffe browsing damage was highest on the plateau. Our findings suggest that fine-scale habitat heterogeneity is an important factor in predicting the distribution of large herbivores and their effects on vegetation and may interact with other drivers such as edaphic variations to influence local variation in vegetation structure and composition
CONTEXTUAL FACTORS INFLUENCING LONELINESS AMONG LEARNERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MURANG’A COUNTY, KENYA
Get PDFThe impact of loneliness on productivity among human beings and especially learners in secondary schools continue to be a subject of great concern to philosophers, educationists and policy makers. The contextual factors that influence loneliness among learners in secondary schools in Kenya and particularly in Murang’a County are not clearly known and documented. The purpose of this study was to assess the contextual factors that influence loneliness among learners in secondary schools in Murang’a County in Kenya. The objectives of the study were to; examine prevalence of loneliness among learners in secondary schools in Murang’a County, compare the correlates of loneliness among learners and evaluate the effectiveness of counselling in managing loneliness among learners in secondary schools in Murang’a County in Kenya. The study tested the following null hypothesis; HO1: there is no statistically significant difference in correlates of loneliness among learners in secondary schools in Murang’a County. The study was guided by Vygotsky’s Social Cognitive Learning Theory. The study adopted the cross-sectional survey research design. The target population was 100,684 learners found in the 303 public secondary schools in the County. Krejecie and Morgan Table was used to determine the sample size and stratified random sampling was used to select between 10% and 30% of the schools to participate in the study. All form two learners in the selected schools were purposively sampled to participate in the study. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data. Scales to measure teacher-learner relationships and sense of belonging to school were adapted by the researcher for the study while PAL scale was used to measure level of loneliness. The scales and the questionnaire were piloted in similar type of schools in Kiambu County. Cronbach’s alpha Correlation Coefficient test of reliability of the questionnaire and scales yielded 0.83 which was acceptable. Descriptive and inferential statistics analysis was done using SPSS version 20. The study found that 39% to 55% of learners had had serious episodes of loneliness. Correlates of loneliness were found to vary by gender, school type and perception on effectiveness of guidance and counselling services. The study concluded that coeducation boarding schools presented unique challenges in management of loneliness. The study recommends strengthening of guidance and counselling services which should be tailored to specific school environment for effective management of loneliness
Effects of Sawdust and Cow Manure Mixtures on Growth Characteristics of Blue Gum (Eucalyptus saligna) Seedlings in South Kinangop Forest, Kenya
Get PDFInfluence of Leadership on Innovation Efficiency in Manufacturing Firms in Kenya
Get PDFThe purpose of this paper is to determine the influence of leadership on Innovation Efficiency (IE) in manufacturing firms in Kenya. A mixed research methodology was and cross-sectional design was applied. The target population was 2484 leaders and multi-stage sampling was used to sample 345 respondents. Primary data was collected. The results revealed that leadership has a significant influence on IE. It is concluded that management should practice and encourage creativity, exploration, inspiration, exploitation and entrepreneurial mindset to promote IE. Further research should be conducted to find out how leadership should balance the trade-off between risk management and IE